Welcome to AIG Parent Night

1. Welcome to AIG Parent Night October 4, 2011 7:00 SWRMS cafeteria

2. Meet Our Teachers • Gary Davis- 8th grade Algebra I • Lori Johnson- 8th grade Language Arts • Tara Davis- 7th grade Pre- Algebra • Ashley Adams- 7th grade Pre- Algebra • Karen Rouse- 7th grade Language Arts • Jane Braswell-7th grade Language Arts • Meredith Sneed- 6th grade Language Arts • Ashley Thomas- 6th grade Language Arts • Lisa Cagle- 6th grade math • Brett Hoogkamp- 6th grade math

3. Randolph County Schools Vision for local AIG program The vision of the Randolph County Schools AIG program is to meet the educational needs of its academically or intellectually gifted students in an environment responsive to their needs in order that they may become participating, productive citizens. We have a responsibility to identify, nurture, and develop the potential of each student by providing extended opportunities to accelerate or enrich the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, in order that students may become participating, productive citizens. Randolph County Schools is committed to success for all students.

4. Pre-Algebra and Algebra I Requirements • Students must score 70 points to qualify for Pre-Algebra or Algebra as a seventh or eighth grader. • Points earned are for: • EOG scores • EOY report card grade • Work ethic (teacher recommendation) • Placement test score

5. 8th Grade Algebra IMr. Davis • At the end of the year, 7th grade students who are in Pre- Algebra will take a placement test and a rubric is completed to determine who is placed in Algebra I. • The Algebra I curriculum goes beyond the 8th grade curriculum • The Algebra curriculum involves linear functions, and exponential functions. It includes computations with polynomials, factoring polynomials, and solving radical equations • Algebra I students must take and pass the regular 8th grade EOG and the Algebra I EOC at the end of the year • If the student scores a level III or better on the Algebra I EOC, that student will receive high school graduation credit.

6. 6th Grade Mathand 7th Grade Pre-AlgebraMrs. Cagle, Mrs. Davis, Ms. Adams, Mr. Hoogkamp 7th Grade Pre-Algebra • cover 7th and 8th grade curriculum • 8th grade textbook • 7th grade Essentials 6th Grade Math • cover 6th and 7th grade curriculum • 6th grade Essentials • pull activities/lessons from 7th grade math book

7. 6th and 7th Grade Math cont. • Pre-assessments as needed to see what skills have been mastered and what are areas of need • Complete two independent study projects • Big Ideas supplemental material for advanced learners • SMART Board activities • Website for math book www.bigideasmath.com

8. Expectations for LA AIG students in all Language Arts classes are expected to: • Have a clear comprehension of key elements (main ideas, evidence, point of view, etc.) • Respond accurately in oral or written responses that elaborate with extensive details and support • Go beyond what is obvious in concepts by making subtle connections, have novel thinking, with well supported ideas employing textual evidence.

9. 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Language ArtsMrs. Rouse, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Sneed, Mrs. Braswell, Ms. Thomas • Reading instruction is 1-2 years above grade level • Lessons will include both application and expansion of basic skills • Lessons will accelerate and enhance the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade • Classes will move rapidly and to greater sophistication and abstraction in understanding • Lessons will be in greater depth (assessments of prior knowledge given) • Independent studies every nine weeks (all grades)

10. Language Arts… Continued • Use of the Vocabulary Workshop at the 6th,7th, and 8th grade levels to enhance vocabulary, as well as to introduce students to vocabulary lessons similar to what is expected of them on the SAT • The use of Junior Great Books program for higher level thinking skills • Use of higher level and critical thinking skills including: • Cognitive memory skills • Structuring, organizing, and relating skills • Convergent generalizing skills • Divergent thinking skills • Evaluative skills

11. The DEPWhat is it? • DEP stands for Differentiation Education Plan. • A DEP has been developed for your child that has been identified in one or more areas of the AIG program. • A new DEP must be signed at the beginning of each school year to make sure that the educational needs of the child is being met. • Most DEP’s have 3 basic categories that are checked: • Cluster grouping within a regular class • Differentiated units • Advanced Content DEP

12. Cluster Grouping • Cluster Grouping means that your child is either identified as math, reading, or both or is being nurtured in those areas. • A student who is being nurtured does not meet the guidelines to be identified, but works well in the AIG class room setting.

13. Differentiated Units • Differentiated units means that students in the AIG class are doing work that is different from other students in the same grade. The NC Standard Course of Study is being followed; assignments are being enriched to bring a deeper meaning to the lesson.

14. Advanced Content • Advanced content is learning at a faster pace. Students will be expected to work 1-2 years above grade level in reading and math • Advanced content ties into differentiated units as well. The use of prior knowledge is assessed at the beginning of each lesson to determine how advanced the lesson can be.